Drones Hit Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Exclave
One Iranian drone struck the terminal building of Nakhchivan Airport while another fell near a school in Shakarabad on Thursday. The incident occurred around noon (08:00 GMT). Two civilians were injured in the attack, and the airport sustained damage.
Azerbaijan Demands Accountability from Tehran
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said those responsible must be held accountable after Nakhchivan was "subjected to cowardly fire". The foreign ministry condemned the drone attacks and said Azerbaijan reserves the right to take appropriate response measures. The ministry summoned Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Demirchilou over the incident. The Azerbaijani army has been brought to "full combat readiness," according to Aliyev.
Iran Denies Involvement Amid Regional Conflict
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said "The Islamic Republic of Iran has not targeted the Republic of Azerbaijan," and stated Iran's policy is only to strike military bases of its enemies. Tehran denied it was behind the attack, with the Iranian general staff saying "The Islamic Republic of Iran denies its armed forces launched a drone toward the Republic of Azerbaijan". This marks the first time Azerbaijan has been drawn into the US-Israel war with Iran, now in its sixth day.